Philippines celebrate many kinds of fiesta or festival. People paint their faces and even the whole body, dress in colorful costumes and do the street dancing with the beat of the drums. Street dancing is the most popular and highlight in the festival. Many Groups are preparing for this event not only to win the prize but also serves as an offering.


February 11, 2012 was one of the most important dates for the proud and excited Irigenios.

It’s all because of their annual celebration of Tinagba Festival, a festival wherein they show their gratitude to their patron for the good and bountiful previous year and for the present year. 

But, this isn’t just the reason for their excitement because they are again chosen for the second time to host the 10th Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals Showdown. This is an event where different festivals coming from different places in Bicol come together in one place to show the people the beauty of their festival and be hailed as the most beautiful and wonderful festival.


With this huge and exemplar event many spectators, guest, officials and candidates are expected to come and participate in the event. Many foreign people around the world visited Iriga to witness the festival being celebrated. This was one of the main reasons why of the CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES – RED CROSS YOUTH COUNCIL (CSPC-RCYC) decided to lend their help by volunteering as first aiders throughout the event. Through the Safety Services Committee the council has been able to deployed 18 volunteers, composing 17 youth and 1 adviser. The group was headed by Mr. Karl Chester E. Intia, the Safety Services director. The group was divided into 5 teams covering 5 stations: the city terminal, city library, 202 avenue, LCC mall and old city hall. Each team was been accompanied by the staffs of the city infirmary.


The teams were deployed per station at around 7:00 am. At 3:00 pm all the teams were been instructed to cover the four corners of the event site. A total of 6 medical casualties were responded and 1 of them has been endorsed to Lourdes Hospital for further interventions. All were due to hypoglycemia and fatigue. The teams adjourned after the firework display around 8:00 pm. The event was a success and the teams were very vigilant.

The Student Leaders Conference is an event being organized yearly by the Student Council Federation of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC). The said Federation is composed of elected officers from CSPC Nabua, Naga and Buhi campuses. The purpose of the event is to build unity and camaraderie between the three campuses of CSPC and instill new ideas and approaches concerning Leadership to student leaders of CSPC. One of the qualifications in attending the said conference is that the aspirant shall be holding a position in any class or organization.


The Federation started inviting delegates from other schools last 2009 Student Leaders Conference (SLC) and it was adopted for the 2012 SLC. Delegates from other schools namely University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP), University of Saint Anthony (USANT), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), and La Consolacion College also attended the said Conference.

This year’s Student Leaders Conference was realized last January 13-15, 2012 at Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges Nabua Campus Amphitheater and Multipurpose Building. The Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges – Red Cross Youth Council (CSPC-RCYC), as one of the organizations of the college, was invited by the Central Student Council of CSPC to attend the said Conference. The organization gratefully sent two representatives namely Ms. Princess Mae L. Follosco, the organization’s Secretary, and Mr. Bryan Deo A. Tataro, the organization’s Nursing Representative and at the same time the Director of the Council Development Committee, to attend the event.

The Registration, billeting and distributing of Conference kits were done during the morning half of the first day, January 13, 2012. To formally welcome and open the Conference, an opening program was held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It was graced with the presence of the College President, Dr. Dulce F. Atian, who inspired the audience on how to become a dynamic leader and generously shared several pieces of advice to the attendees on how to improve the performance of their respective organizations.

It was then followed by the First Plenary Session, wherein Mr. Angel Garchitorena Naval was the keynote speaker.  He was shared inputs about the topic “Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development”.

After the First Plenary Session, the student leaders were divided into groups, which will remain as their respective groupings for the rest of the Conference. After which, they busied themselves in preparing for the Search for Mr. and Ms. SLC 2012. The dinner was then served in the midst of the preparation.

At around 9:30 in the evening, the Search for Mr. and Ms. SLC 2012 was started. It concluded to the crowning of Mr. Philip Dimaiwat, a delegate from La Consolacion College, and Ms. Alice Valiente, a delegate from CSPC Nabua, as Mr. and Ms. SLC 2012 respectively. The event also marked the end of the activities for the first day of the Conference.




The Second Day was started through a Fitness Exercise, followed by a Team Building Activity. An effective leader knows how to gain trust and give trust. There shall be unity and teamwork between each members of a team to pull a good output out of every task they are given. After all, leadership is not all in papers and words. It’s also about action.

After the activity drove away the sleep from the participants’ body, they proceeded to the hall to take their breakfast.

Shortly after the breakfast was served, the Second Plenary Session was held, wherein Mr. Elvis J. Lumame was the resource speaker. He talked about Community-based Leadership with Seven Dynamic Principles enumerated as follows:

1. Ask God to be with you
2. Know where you are headed
3. Blood where you are planted
4. Master new skills
5. Earn your Master’s trust
6. Keep your nose clean
7. Help people along the way

The speaker also entertained questions from the crowd, which earned each of them a book from him. The same generous treatment was given to those who answered his questions and to those who voiced out their opinions.

Lunch followed the Second Plenary Session. After which, the Third Plenary Session was held, wherein the speaker was a photographer from CS Photography, who was at the same time covering the three-day Conference. He discussed about photography and several techniques on how to create a good shot. He also shared few trivia about photography.


The Fourth Plenary Session followed, wherein Mr. Kurt P. Silvano was the keynote speaker. He discussed about social Media and Netiquette. He tackled about the social networks and proper etiquettes when performing activities in the internet.

After the Fourth Plenary Session, the student leaders were asked to prepare for the Talent Night, which will mimic the TV Program Showtime. While preparing for the Talent Night, Dinner was then served. During the talent night, each groups had their presentation and the audience were asked to show their scores using their scoreboard.

The third and last day of the Conference was also started with Fitness Exercise and Team building Activity. After which, breakfast was served. The fifth Plenary Session followed, wherein Dr. Jose Ariel R. Ibarrientos, the CSPC Student Affairs Moderator, was the keynote speaker. He tackled about Servant Leadership and its difference from other types of Leadership. Two more Plenary Sessions followed before the closing program was held, as well as the distribution of T-shirts, answering of the Evaluation Forms and picture-taking.

All photos courtesy of Mr. Meneses.

The College of Health Care Technology (CHCT) together with the other departments of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) Nabua Campus had once again united for a Pamaskong Handog to its adopted barangay – San Roque, Madawon, Nabua, Camarines Sur. On the 18th of December 2011, the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges – Red Cross Youth Council (CSPC-RCYC), as one of the accredited campus organization, had contributed to the above mentioned activity.

Each Department had its assigned task. The CHCT Department was assigned to the medical mission. On the 17thday of December on the same year the CSPC-RCYC was assigned for the preparation of the medicines which was distributed. Officers of the organizations were present including Ms. Moneck Cortez, the Ms. Red Cross Youth 2011.




The organization’s adviser, Mr. Alvin Franco Agtarap, first oriented the volunteers on what to do. Then the volunteers began arranging the medicines. There were individual wrappers which the medicines were placed. Each of the capsules and tabs had an identification tag so that the recipients will be aware of the name of the medicines.




On the day of the activity, some of the officers were included in distributing the medicines and they were also assigned to assist the Physician to take vital signs to the townspeople of barangay madawon together with the other organization under the CHCT which were the CHCT Officers, the Primary Health care Provider (PHCP), and the Philippine Nursing Students Association (PNSA). Together hand in hand the CSPC Madawon Extension Service had been successful

In accordance with the annual celebration of Christmas, the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges- Red Cross Youth Council (CSPC-RCYC) celebrated and savored the merrymaking activity at the RCYC office last December 16, 2011.

The Christmas party was attended by the CSPC-RCYC Officers and other Committee members, Directors and also the Council Advisers.




The merrymaking started at 8:00 P.M.. The venue was enlighten by the presentation of gifts and foods. The program started with a  prayer led by Louella Mae Coralde, Auditor and was followed by the recital of the Red Cross Youth Pledge and the Seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement. It was opened formally by the CSPC-RCYC President, Rodel N. Notorio and the Council advisers, Mr. Alvin Franco A. Agtarap and Mrs. Maria Visitacion M. Taburnal delivered their short and inspiring messages. After the delivery of the different Christmas messages was the feast and dinnertime.

The Christmas party was made possible by the efforts of the officers and the council advisers.  The officers and advisers contributed and shared foods for the party and in the later part was the exchange of gifts and messages ending the party at 10:00 P.M.

It is a tradition of the Philippine Red Cross to conduct a biennial convention every two years to gather its volunteers and resolve issues concerning every Red Cross chapters throughout the Philippines.  It is being attendd by every chapter’s board of directors, chapter administrators, youth delegates, board of governors, and PRC national officers for the election of the Board of Governors.

In this years’ biennial convention, it was a pride of CSPC and the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges-Red Cross Youth Council to send a delegate to attend the convention.  Mr. Karl Chester E. Intia, who is elected as the National Youth Council Auditor and Area 3 Coordinator, has been invited by the National Youth Department to attend and at the same time be the youth delegate to represent the Camarines Sur Chapter.  The two-day convention has officially started with an opening program in which all the Philippine Red Cross Chapters’ delegates paraded entering the centennial hall of the Manila Hotel.


The opening program started with religious prayers that were led by a Christian, a Muslim and a representative for other religious organization.  After which is the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and welcome remarks from the Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, Richard Gordon.  The whole day of the first day tackled the first-half of the plenary sessions, including the environmental concerns that the Philippines is facing at the present, the PRC strategic plans for 2012-2015, and others.  At 7:30 PM, the welcome reception started with the participants wearing their formal dresses.  Buffet was served and for the entertainment, some actors and actress were invited like Jay-Ar, Angel Locsin, and Anne Curtis.  At the same time, Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis were also awarded being a dedicated star volunteer of the Philippine Red Cross.  The night has ended at around 10:00 PM and the participants seemed to enjoy the welcome reception.



During the second day of the biennial, the remaining plenary sessions were discussed and simultaneous seminars were also done.




The topics were: (1) Impact of Disasters, Climate Change, Public Health Emergencies, Illnesses and other situations of violence is  significantly reduced for affected families and communities; (2) Individual, Family, and Community Health and Well-Being are improve;  (3) Sufferings from armed conflicts and from other situations of violence are reduced;  (4) Strong and well-functioning Philippine Red Cross.

In the afternoon, the election of the new members of the board of governors were realized.  At around 4:00 PM, the new elected board of governors was announced.  In the evening, the participants changed their clothes for their Filipiniana attires as preparation for the convention dinner which started at around 8:00 in the evening.  The convention dinner was a night of merriment as the participants conquer the dance floor and dance until midnight.

The 29th Biennial convention was a success and hopefully the Strategic Plan for 2012-2015 will be realized.

With the request of the Office of the Vice President of Academic and External Affairs, the CSPC-RCYC Safety Services rendered their First Aid Service on the Investiture and Installation of the 4th College President, Dr. Dulce F. Atian held last December 7, 2011 at the CSPC College Auditorium.

Ten (10) First Aid Volunteers were requested. The activity started with a mass at the Holy Cross Parish of Nabua and the first aid volunteers were already deployed at that time. The mass ended and there were no cases of injury reported. Afterwards, the guests and invited personnels and faculty proceeded in the College Auditorium for the main event. The volunteers also gathered outside the Hall and waited for further instructions. Then, the CSPC-RCYC stayed at the lobby since it was the designated place for them.

The activity lasted until midnight but still there were no reports of cases needing first aid assistance.

The CSPC-RCYC Safety Services rendered First aid service on the Parish Youth Night held last December 3-4, 2011 at the San Antonio de Padua, Iriga Parish.

The Safety Service activity was made possible with the invitation of the religious youth leaders of San Antonio de Padua, Iriga Parish headed by Kevin Lao Aguilar and was positively responded by the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges-Red Cross Youth Council (CSPC-RCYC) Safety Services Committee.

Around 3:00 pm, the First aid volunteers assembled at CSPC and despite the rainy weather by 4:00 pm, equipments were already on the vehicle heading to Iriga City. Arriving exactly at 4:20, the first aid volunteers assembled in front of the church. Under the supervision of Karl Chester Intia, the CSPC-RCYC Safety Service Director gave the final instructions to the first aid volunteers. There were 10 First Aid volunteers.

The procession started around 7:00 pm, watchful observations were made by the First Aid Volunteers and still no case of casualty was reported. The procession ended with no major injuries or cases reported. After the procession, the overnight activity and program was held at the Iriga Parish Church.




The program ended successfully and there were no casualties or injuries reported. It was around 3:00 am when the CSPC-RCYC decided to go back on Nabua for the assembly of the participants for the Million Volunteer Run on December 4.

The Red Cross Youth Department of the Philippine Red Cross had its 17th National Youth Congress last October 21-23, 2011 at Central Mindanao University, Maramag, Bukidnon. The National Youth Congress of the Red Cross Youth department is a biennial activity, which usually lasts for three days and is compact with talks, sessions and workshops. This year’s congress was geared up with the theme “I ACT: Assert, Care, Transform”.

The chosen spot was Bukidnon; located in the heart of Mindanao. The official venue is in Central Mindanao University at Maramag. Since the group came from Camarines Sur and is about more than 400 miles distant from the venue, there had been some conflicts with the transportation and financial matters. Nonetheless, the group was able to pull through and reach the venue safely and soundly.

There had been several plans in terms of transportation. Plan A was through plane, Plan B was through ship, and Plan C was through RORO (Roll on, Roll off). The group was not able to finalize the official participants for the Congress at an early time, so they failed to avail the lite fare promo for the plane tickets. It had led to the elimination of Plan A. Therefore, the group decided to follow Plan B.




Early in the morning of October 20, 2011, the three delegates and one adviser from the Philippine Red Cross Camarines Sur Chapter assembled at the front gate of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, Nabua, Camarines Sur at exactly 7:00 in the morning; all packed and ready. They rode off to Legazpi City through a bus ride at about 8:00, which took them about one and a half hour of travel. When they reached the Legazpi City terminal, they waited for about an hour before the van leading to Pilar, Sorsogon took off. It was a two-hour-ride until they reached the seaport at Pilar, Sorsogon. When they reached the port, they waited for about an hour to settle some transportation matters and wait for the motorboat to sail. There had been about eighty-five (85) passengers in the motorboat that will lead them to Masbate.

The boat sailed at about 12 noon. The sun was scorching hot and the sea was calm. The participants’ position in the boat was not really comfortable as they were seated near the engine. The steam from the engine was hot and the odor wasn’t pleasant either. One of them even had half of his body wet by the sudden flash of sea water from the slightly-rocking boat when they passed a stream of waves. It was a three-hour travel from Pilar, Sorsogon to Masbate.



The group reached Masbate seaport at around three o’clock in the afternoon. From there, they tried considering options. There was no available fast craft for the day so they decided to take the ordinary ship that will lead them to Cebu. After they purchased their tickets, the team decided to use the time from three-thirty to four o’clock in buying foods that may suffice their needs for the time being at the nearby LCC mall.






The boarding started at four o’clock in the afternoon. They passed through seaport security, secured their belongings and stole a couple hours of rest. They will be leaving at 6:00 in the afternoon and are expected to reach Cebu at 6:00 in the morning of the next day. However, they arrived two hours later than the expected time of arrival.





The group arrived at Cebu seaport at around 8:00 in the morning of October 21, 2011. The date was already reserved for the registration, orientation and opening program at the Congress and yet the group is still in the middle of their travel. They proceeded to inquire for the plane trips schedule at a nearby ticketing establishment for transportation. There was no available flight for the morning half of the day that will lead them to Cagayan de Oro. To make fruitful use of the time, the group went off to search for a Cebuana Lhuillier firm in order to get the financial sustenance sent by the council, another searched for a printing shop for the completion of the required documents to be submitted before NYC registration, and another searched for food. One of them was left at the ticketing building to watch for the luggage. After a span of two hours, the group reconvened at the ticketing office. They were able to get the amount and buy lunch. They decided to go to the airport directly and do the inquiry there for better weighing of available options.







They went to Cebu City airport through a taxi. When they reached the airport, they searched for the stalls and did the inquiry. They tried Cebu Philippines, Zest Air, Philippine Airlines, and Air Philippines. The group took their lunch in the airport in the middle of the decision-making process. After considering the financial requirements and time of travel, the group agreed to choose Air Philippines. It will leave at 5:15 in the afternoon and is expected to land at Cagayan de Oro at 5:45.



After they purchased their plane tickets, the group changed their clothes into their Red Cross shirts for identification and safety. They boarded the plane at 5:00 and reached Cagayan de Oro at approximately 5:45 in the afternoon.


The weather in Cagayan de Oro was gloomy and it made the atmosphere appear darker. The group decided to take CAGATRANSPO that will bring them to Cagayan de Oro bus terminal. When they reached the terminal, they did the inquiry about the routes that lead to Central Mindanao University. They took the 7:00 aircon bus ride – the third bus filled up according to the line-up of passengers - that they thought would bring them to Central Mindanao University. Apparently, they were shocked with the changes of routes. Instead of going past the University road going to MARAMAG, the bus dropped them off to Valencia, a town in Bukidnon, at around 11:00 in the evening. It’s still an hour ride away from the venue, which is Central Mindanao University.

The Terminal in Valencia was already empty: empty of vehicles and open stores. Luckily, there was a non-air-conditioned bus that leads to Davao City. It will pass by Central Mindanao University since, from what was gathered, it’s only along the highway.

After another hour of ride, they finally reached Central Mindanao University. The registration, orientation, and opening program were already finished and most of the participants are already deep in slumber. The group went to approach the secretariat committee and get the registration process done at least. However, the committee said that they may have the registration the next day. Though not registered just yet, the committee allocated rooms for the Camarines Sur Chapter participants to sleep at. After all, they came a long way to attend the congress. They also graced the group with dinner.

The three delegates were allocated with rooms at Central Mindanao University dormitory while the adviser had to join his colleagues at RR Resort. The rooms assigned for the three delegates were numbers 8 and 10.

Only after the group was welcomed inside the rooms by other participants were they able to take the rest they need for the next day’s activity – or rather, for the next couple of hours’ activity as they slept past midnight already.

The 2011 National Youth Congress at Central Mindanao University at Maramag, Bukidnon was participated by different chapters all over the Philippines. With the general theme “I ACT: Assert, Care, Transform”, the congress was spiced up with various activities that are meant to augment the participants’ governance and leadership skills, volunteerism and humanitarianism, and environmental awareness.

The first day of the congress was scheduled for the Registration, Orientation and Opening Program. The latter was where Mr. Richard Gordon, the Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, was the keynote speaker.

The Camarines Sur Chapter participants failed to attend the first day activities as they arrived past midnight already. Despite the lack of sleep and rest, the group attended the plenary sessions for the second day. The morning half of October 22, 2011 was divided into four plenary sessions with the following topics:

1. National Youth Congress Reports: Accomplishments and Updates
2. I ASSERT:  “Youth Involvement on Philippine Red Cross Governance”
3. I CARE: “Unique Role of the Youth in Climate Change Adaptation”
4. I TRANSFORM: “Red Cross Youth: From a Follower to a Leader”

The sessions were held at the farmer’s training center. The first topic, which was “National Youth Congress Reports: Accomplishments and Updates”, was done through a PowerPoint presentation of the achievements of the National Youth Council for the past two years. It wasn’t explained well and wasn’t comprehensive either. There had been motions about the financial aspects and how come it wasn’t included in the report.

For some reason, the Fourth Plenary Session was done next instead of the second session. In this session, the “I TRANSFORM” part of the theme was discussed by Mr. Mabini F. Pablo, a member of Philippine Red Cross Board of Governors. He had regarded leadership as humility to be of service to others.  He discussed about servant leadership, saying that it’s the way of leadership that best applies to Red Cross Volunteers. He enumerated 10 Characteristics of a servant leader by Larry Sphere namely: Listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, stewardship, commitment to the group of people, building community and lastly, foresight.

The speaker said that a Servant Leader should know how to listen to himself and to others. He must understand that people needs to know and understand their characteristics and where they are coming from.  The next characteristic was healing. A Servant Leader must use his own power, knowledge and skills to change and build the community in order to achieve a better status. A Servant Leader should also have awareness. He should strengthen the majority of people. Moreover, he should know himself too in order to help others have self awareness. He should also have the gift of persuasion. A servant leader, despite his humility, should know how to lead the crowd and make the crowd obey him to the right path. He should have conceptualization or wide perception. He must be able to handle many things in one go and can handle difficult situations even if under stress. He should act as a steward; meaning he should be trustworthy and act as a guide. He should have commitment to the group and build the community by introducing unity and cooperation with its members. Lastly, he should have foresight. He must be able to understand the lessons of the past mistakes and use them in the future and present situation.

The next Plenary Session tackled about “I ASSERT” with Governor Lorna Kapunan as the resource speaker. She is, indeed, a strong-minded, well-respected and honorable woman who stands by her principles in life. She tackled about the involvement of the youth in Philippine Red Cross Governance. She even proposed to make a Resolution for the assembly to tackle about resources for she believed that money is the blood of an organization. She asked for the Head of Delegates to come over the microphone, introduce themselves, the chapters they represent, their companions and the source of their budget for the congress. Notably, more than half of the chapters shouldered some of the expenses if not all. She said that the expenses for trainings and conventions should come from the chapters as mandated by the law. She encouraged the participants to seek financial assistance from the National Headquarters if they need resources. She further encouraged the participants to report any violation of the laws to the National Headquarters.

As part of governance, she discussed the important points that are commonly subject to misconception. One of which is the eradication of the word “National” in the name of the organization. It is for the reason that the Philippine Red Cross is an independent organization following the principle of Humanity (We Serve People but Not Systems). Another thing that she gave extreme emphasis on is the concept that the Philippine Red Cross is the only one with legal identity. The example she cited was that the Chapters cannot receive donations for themselves. It should be directed to the Philippine Red Cross itself. Donations should be in the name of Philippine Red Cross. Chapters cannot be sued because they don’t have legal identity/personality. The capacity to sue and to be sued is reserved only to the Philippine Red Cross National Headquarters.

She also managed to differentiate the terms governance and management. She said that governance is the way an organization sets direction by making decisions about people, priorities, programs and services. Governance also means policies. On the other hand, management is the implementation of these policies.

She said that all policies can only come from the National Headquarters and the Chapters are the ones who do the implementation of these policies. Therefore, it’s the National Headquarters that do the governance whilst the Chapters do the management.

After her talk, she asked for the participants to pronounce the value or virtue they are going to bring home to their chapters/councils with regards to the session.

The last but not the least topic discussed before the lunch break was under “I CARE”. It was tackled by Gov. Juan Miguel Zubiri. He talked about the Role of the Red Cross Youth in the Climate Change. He is an advocate for the preservation of the environment and managed to encourage the youths to tend to the environment.

The group was able to register (finally and thankfully) before they had their lunch. The Adviser and the Head of Delegation were able to register the Area 3 participants and distribute the seminar kits and IDs. The registration fee was shouldered by the college (Camarines Sur Polytechnic College) Administration as privilege and benefit of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges – Red Cross Youth Council (CSPC-RCYC) for being the only level 3 accredited organization in the college.

The morning half of the day ended and the participants proceeded to the school canteen to take their lunch. There were also foods served at the farmer’s training center. The participants were asked to fall in line for the distribution of gift packs from Talk and Text. The group had their lunch done first before they lined-up for the give-away. Since they were about fifth to seventh from the last person on the line, they weren’t able to get the give-away because, apparently, there weren’t enough stocks for everybody.

The afternoon half was for the Commission Sessions. There were six Commission Sessions for the youth participants and three for the advisers. The youths were asked to choose only one topic to attend to for the Commission Session.  The advisers, on the other hand, were given the chance to attend all their three sessions.

The Commission Session topics for the youth were as follows:

1. Red Cross 143 Youth Pledge 25
2. Council Management and Development
3. Leadership Development Program for Red Cross Youth 143
4. Peer Education on HIV AIDS and Substance Abuse
5. Red Cross Youth 143 Awards and Recognition
6. Red Cross Youth 143 in Schools and Communities

The list of the Commission Sessions was already enumerated in the general guidelines which were disseminated to Chapters Nationwide about a month before the Congress. However, there had been some changes with the topics. Council Program Development was changed to Red Cross Youth 143 in Schools and Communities. The Council Program Development was one of the chosen topics of the Camarines Sur Chapter participants. However, due to the sudden changes, adjustment must be done so they chose Red Cross Youth 143 in Schools and Communities instead.

Therefore, the three youth participants chose the topics Council Management and Development, Peer Education on HIV AIDS and Substance Abuse, and Red Cross Youth 143 in Schools and Communities.

The topics for the Commission Sessions for advisers were:

1. Awards and Recognition
2. 143 Volunteerism and Management
3. Fund Raising in Red Cross Youth Councils

The University is immensely vast and thickly forested. The youth participants still have to take the bus and multicab to reach the area designated for the Commission Sessions. The advisers, on the other hand, went back to RR Resort for their own sessions.

When the commission session was finished, the youth participants were taken back by the bus and multicab to Farmer’s Training Center. Some of the participants weren’t accommodated so they have to walk their way back to the Training Center.

Dinner was already served when they were back. After taking their dinner, the participants were already asked to change their clothes to Cowboy attire – the theme meant for the next activity, which is the Youth Night.

The Youth Night was an acquaintance activity. For this reason, youths from all over the nine areas of Philippine Red Cross roamed all over the hall (Farmer’s Training Center) to get the information of the other participants.  They offer the Youth Directory attached on their Identification Cards for fill-up. It contains space for name, chapter, and contact information.

The program started with a speech from Governor Alex Calingasan. The emcee, who is the National Youth Council Assistant Secretary, Mr. Nonisto Molina, facilitated the other activities for the night. One of which is a presentation. The presenters were divided into three: Group 1 was composed of Areas 1, 2 and 3; Group 2 was composed of Areas 4, 5 and 6; and Group3 was composed of Areas 7, 8, and 9.

Area three wasn’t able to participate in the presentation because they have no idea that a presentation has to be made.

Group 1’s presentation was a small mimic of the TV program Showtime. There were Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Kuya Kim, and all the other casts. The casts were complete, in fact. Group 2’s presentation was a dance. They presented an animation of the Red Cross Youth theme song “Youth Power”. Last to present was Group 3. Group 3’s presentation was TV program-like too and they were awarded with the best presentation award.

The next event was a game. The emcee requested eight participants each area to fall in line (one chapter per column), facing the array of chairs with variety of foods. There was lemon, packed juice without straw, boiled and non-boiled eggs, pipino soda placed on a milk bottle, and others.

The goal of the game is for the participants to finish all the foods – one food per person. The first group to finish it all up will be declared as the winner. In the end, group 1 was the first to finish so they were declared as the winner. Tokens were given as prizes.

The next event was the search for the guy and girl with the best cowboy attire. Each area was requested to send one guy and one girl representative to step in front. Apparently, there is only one girl participant out of three from Area three, so she is, by default, the entry. Ms. Princess Mae L. Follosco, along with Mr. Karl Chester E. Intia proceeded to go in front not knowing that a mini-search is about to happen. Contrary to the expectation, they were asked to make a fashion walk before the crowd. Ms. Follosco got the shock of her life, apparently. There’s no turning back now and it’s not like she had any other choice.

After the ramp, Mr. Cowboy came from Area 1 and Ms. Cowgirl came from Area 9. The emcee emphasized that the Search is for the persons with the best Cowboy Attire.

After the small pageant and a couple of pause, the emcee announced that the youth participants have to remain to finish their Resolutions subject for submission before the night ends.

The youth participants grouped themselves according to the Commission Session they were in to talk about the Resolution they need to pass. The sleepy feeling stole the concentration of most but they were still able to work out a Resolution title. The titles from each Sessions were passed to the National Youth Council. The Commission still has to defend their Resolutions before the body the following day.

After poring over the Resolutions, the youth participants proceeded to their respective rooms to take some rest.

The next day, October 23, 2011, the participants did the usual routine. They took breakfast, changed to their formal/smart casual attire (though there had been quite a few participants who aren’t following the dress code protocol) and went to Farmer’s training center for another Session.

Their advisers weren’t with them by the time because they also have a Session of their own.

Plenary Session Number 5 was for Passing of Resolutions and Presentation of Candidates for National Youth Council Election. Simultaneous to this activity was the General Assembly of National Red Cross Youth Advisers’ League.

The approval of the Resolutions was done through the application of Robert’s Rule of Order in Parliamentary Procedure to exercise the proper role and right of the majority. There had been debates with some of the Resolutions but majority of them, however, were passed smoothly.

The next activity in line was the Election of Area Coordinators. The aspirants were called to go in front for proper identification and recognition. Mr. Karl Chester E. Intia, the head of delegation of Area 3 ran for the position as Area 3 Coordinator.

After the presentation of the candidates, the decision on who to vote as their Area Coordinator was left to the participants. The election followed shortly after the presentation of the candidates for election. The election was done through the use of ballot.

After the election, the participants headed back to the school canteen to take their lunch.

The youth participants had their tour to an Ecopark. They arrived at the venue by three o’clock, explored the wide vicinity of the area and took pictures for thirty minutes and went out again. There were road reconstructions so they had a hard time from all the dusty roads on their way back to the University.

The next activity for the day was the Closing Ceremony and Oath Taking of the newly-elected RCY National Youth Council and National Red Cross Youth Advisers’ League (NRCYAL) Officers. The theme of the next activity was the Native Regional Costume of every participant.

After they had their dinner done, changed clothes for the occasion, they proceeded to the Farmer’s Training Center to witness the closing ceremony.

There had been speeches from Governor Chester Villanueva and Governor Nonito Llanos, the President of National Youth Council and National Red Cross Youth Advisers’ League of Red Cross Youth Department respectively. They had pronounced their acknowledgements to everyone who played an important role for the success of their terms and early congratulatory address to the yet-to-be declared new sets of Officers who will continue the legacy of the organization.

Shortly after their speech, tokens and plaques were given to the officers of National Youth Council and National Red Cross Youth Advisers’ League.  It was followed by the announcement and induction of the newly-elected officers for the National Youth Council and National Red Cross Youth Advisers’ League.

Mr. Karl Chester E. Intia was declared as the Area 3 coordinator and the National Youth Council Auditor. Mr. Alvin Franco A. Agtarap was also declared and inducted as the Area 3 coordinator and the Vice President of NRCYAL.

After they pronounced their pledge and taken their oath of commitment, an acceptance speech by the newly elected National Youth Council President followed.

After the speech, the formal closing of the congress was done by Governor Chester Villanueva, the outgoing National Youth Council President.

After the night ran its course, the youth participants from Area 3 had their breakfast and checked-out for departure. They left the vicinity of the University at around twelve-thirty in the afternoon.

This is the writer’s second time to attend the National Youth Congress and the NRCYAL Conference.  The first one was held two years ago, in 2009, at Manila.  The idea of going to Bukidnon, in Central Mindanao provides mixed sensations, of fear, and excitement.  What if we were trapped in areas with armed conflict?  What if there’s terrorism?  There were many “IFs” and “BUTs” yet excitement also prevails.

WE are Red Cross, and wherever we are, there will always be a Red Cross volunteer willing to help and assist us, not to mention the power of the emblem that every volunteer bears in his shirt.

The feelings of anxiety were dissolved, and the power to pursue the goals of attending the occasion heightens up.  We decided to join.  What transpired in the next few pages were the experiences of the writer – a CRCY adviser and delegate, together with the Camarines Sur Youth Delegates.

Day 0_October 20, 2011
A day allotted for travel by plane… but due to unavoidable circumstances, the plane trip was not pursued.  Yet, it does not hinder the team to attend the 17th National Youth Congress and 5th NRCYAL Conference.  Other forms of transportation means were utilized.

Day 1_October 21, 2011
This was scheduled for registration, orientation, and billeting.  We have not experienced it because we were still travelling.  This was still a whole day travel to reach the venue.  The team arrived at the venue past midnight.  We were denied registration because of the time, but were given food for dinner, were billeted, and given the chance to sleep.

Day 2_October 22, 2011
We have attended the plenary sessions in the morning.  Advisers, youth delegates, youth observers, other extra guests, and unofficial participants were all gathered in one roof.  The speakers were the members of the Board of Governors of the Philippine Red Cross.  Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Gov. Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Gov. Mabini F. Pablo all transformed the youth to become more assertive and caring through their powerful and meaningful speeches.

At lunchtime, we took the liberty of time to register ourselves as official delegates of the Congress as it also coincide with the free time of the secretariat committee.  We were accommodated.  The registration fee was shouldered by the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges where we came from.

The afternoon was for the commission sessions with separate topics and venues for the advisers and youth delegates.  There were three designed sessions for the advisers but because of some technical fall-outs, it was compressed into one session with these topics:  Awards and Recognition by the NRCYAL President himself, Mr. Nonito Llanos III; Fund Raising in RCY Councils by the OIC of the Fund Generation Department, Ms. Anaclets Bandril; and lastly, 143 Volunteerism and Management by the OIC of the Volunteer Service, Ms. Arlyn Banks.

The first topic dealt with the reasons and objectives of launching the Outstanding RCY Adviser Award, the means of choosing the person to whom the award would be named after, the final result as “The Lourdes Casas Quezon Award” for the Outstanding RCY Adviser of the Philippines, the criteria of selection, and when would be the actual start of the project.  The second topic was focused on the reasons why people support fundraising campaigns, to whom or to what agency are the people willing to give money, how to raise funds for the RCYs with its marketing strategies, and lastly, the promotion of the Million Volunteer Run project for December 2011.  The last topic rotated on the volunteer services, how it started, how it can be maintained, how it maintained its manpower, and who were the Star Volunteers that supports the Movement.

The afternoon session ended, dinner was served, and almost everybody prepared for the Youth Night with a COWBOY theme reflecting Bukidnon’s pride.  It ended past midnight, we returned to our billeting area – a 30-minute ride by multicab going to RR Family Resort.  Upon arrival, we forced ourselves to sleep in preparation for the next day’s activity.

Day 3_October 23, 2011
The General Assembly of the Advisers commenced at one of the function halls of the resort.  The gathering was for the submission of resolutions and proposals for the benefit of the league, the amendments, ratification, and approval of the NRCYAL Constitution and By-Laws, the meeting and election of coordinators and officers per area, then the meeting of all area coordinators and the election of the next set of NRCYAL officers.  The election results were as follows:


Lunch broke the monotony of the situation. After lunch, the tour of the advisers to LAKE APO, Bukidnon, was a way to release the tensions that emerged during the assembly.  The advisers experienced the countryside means of living.  After the tour, preparations for the closing program followed.  Included in this night were experiences of almost an hour of waiting time for the transportation service to fetch the advisers, the sudden changes in the transportation vehicles, a 30-minute travel to the venue through the rain that made the advisers shiver, a fast set of dinner, and then… THE CLOSING CEREMONIES with the oath taking of the new set of NRCYAL Officers by Hon. Leandro Jose H. Catarata, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Philippine Red Cross-Bukidnon Chapter.  After the event, we went back to our dormitory, tidied up the things for the travel back to our own respective chapters, and slept past 2 AM.

Day 4_October 24, 2011
Breakfast, checking out, and departure from the venue were a challenge to the advisers.  There were no available transportation vehicles anymore, which were not officially announced (although the committee insisted that it was announced after the closing program).  The challenge was to traverse the paths going to the national highway with our luggage, utilizing any available PUVs at the national highway to reach Central Mindanao University, and attempts to ride local transportation services going to the terminal.  Lunch at CMU canteen was deemed a wise decision as passengers flock and filled the passenger busses that passed by the university making us unable to travel.  After lunch, our attempts to ride home became successful.  After two days of travel by land and sea, Camarines Sur Delegation arrived safe on the 26th day of October 2011 with mixed emotions.

This experience is worthwhile.  Learning new knowledge, of added responsibilities, and accountabilities is what the writer brought home.  Acting on it serves as a challenge.  The writer plans to improve and connect the missing links between Camarines Sur Chapter and the other chapters in AREA III (BICOL Region, MIMAROPA Region, Batangas, and Quezon-Lucena) and the National level in order to strengthen its service delivery.

Some of the initial plans that may come to reality are the creation of the Chapter Red Cross Youth Advisers’ League (CRCYAL) to help in the service delivery.  Once established, this league of extraordinary men and women can establish an RCY council in every institution, agency, or community where they are near.  Another plan is to gather the RCY advisers for the Council Management Training (CMT) which is designed for the advisers, especially for those who are new in the movement.

Soaring high, achieving it one by one, and maintaining not to fall is a challenge.  With the idea of TEAMWORK, there is no impossible. The writer believes in himself, believes in the Chapter, and believes in the Men and Women, THE VOLUNTEERS that supports the Movement.